Orrin Hatch Compares Obama To Bernie Madoff When It Comes To Fixing Economy

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) drew an unusual and harsh comparison on Wednesday in taking aim at President Obama over a new stimulus plan proposed by his administration to boost economic recovery.

In a statement put out by the six-term incumbent, Hatch likened Obama to disgraced investment adviser Bernie Madoff -- who is currently serving a 150-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history.

"I don't think anyone believes an Administration that created these problems is going to be able to come up with effective solutions to get us out of them," said the Republican Senator. "That's like putting Bernie Madoff in charge of fixing your company's broken accounting system."

Despite the criticism, a USA Today/Gallup poll released last week found that 71 percent of Americans say that former President George W. Bush is to blame for the economic downturn that continues to adversely impact the country.